Typewriting machine



Aug. 21 1945. J. J. KITTEL TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed July 5, 1945 7 INVENTOR JOHN J: K I TTEL BY bum f gZf 94 ATTORNEYS I Patented Aug. 21, 1945 I TYPEWRITING MACHINE John Joseph Kittel, St. Albans, N. Y., asslgnor to Royal Typewriter Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 3, 1943, SerlalNo. 493,449

1'7 Claims.

This invention relates to typewriting machines and more particularly to power-operated mechanism for driving the printin elements, e. g. type bars, of such machines to printing position.

In the copending application of John J. Kittel, Serial No. 493,450 filed July 3, 1943, there is disclosed and claimed a typewriting machine including, among other features, springs connected respectively to the several type bar-sand urging the latter to printing position. Normally each spring is restrained, but the restraint on any spring is removable in response to depression of a key lever and consequent letter spacing movement of the carriage so as to permit the spring to move the associated type barto printin position. Intermittently operative restoring means are responsive to letter spacing travel of the typewriter carriage for moving the type bars back from printing position to their positions of rest thereby re-loading the type bar actuating springs, and for re-setting the restraining means.

Constructions embodying the present invent'ion are, in a general way, similar to the type bar actuation mechanism outlined above and disclosed in the co-pending application, but differ therefrom in the provision of motive means other than the carriage or the carriage driving means for piloting or controlling the movement of the type bars or members to printing position, for restoring the type bars to inactive position, forre-loading the actuating springs, and for re-setting the restraining means.

An object of the present invention is to provide a type member operating mechanism of the character referred to which is of simple construction adapted for being incorporated in typewriting machines of basically standard design in a manner necessitating a minimum of changes in the usual typewriter parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a type bar member operating mechanism of the kind referred to and in which the force of type bar impact may be regulated for producing relatively light or heavy type impressions. A related object is to provide for the regulation of type bar impact without varying the loading on the type bar actuating springs.

Another object of the invention is to provide type bar operating mechanism including an oscillatory magnetic motor for removing the restraint on a type bar actuating spring for enabling the latter to drive the type bar to printing position, and for then restoring the type bar to inactive position thereby reloading the actuating springs, and resetting the restraining means.

Other objects will become apparent from a reading of the following description, the append-' ed claims, and the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical view of mechanism embodying the invention with some parts shown in elevation and some in section, the parts being shown in full lines in the normal or state of rest positions, and some of the parts being shown in dotted lines in the positions occupied when the type bar is in printing position;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 and showing diagrammatically the connections to an oscillating electric motor; and

Figure 3 is a section on the irregular line 3'-3 of Figure 2 but showing certain parts in the positions they occupy immediately following a type bar printing stroke.

Mechanism embodying the invention is adapted for use in typewriter constructions of different kinds. The illustrative mechanism is shown in association with known typewriter parts constructed and arranged substantially as in the well known Royal Standard typewriter. The

previously known parts shown include a type bar segment a portion of which is shown at A in Figure 1, a type bar B pivoted on the segment Aas at a, a platen C, a type bar head rest D,

a key lever bracket E, and a key lever F pivoted on the bracket E as at e. The key lever F is urged upwardly by a spring I to normal or at rest position against a stop a on the machine frame G. An intermediate lever H pivoted as at h on the machine frame is connected by a link I to a short arm b on the type bar B.

The key lever F is connected by a link J to a lever K pivotally mounted as at k. A link L is connected between the intermediate lever H and the usual universal bar M connected in a known manner to escapement mechanism N.

The type bar operating means thus far described is similar to that customarily embodied in Royal Standard typewriters. However, in the Royal Standard constriic'tion the levers corresponding to the lever K shown herein are connected by links to levers corresponding to the lever H so that depression of a key lever will rock the lever H counter clockwise to move the associated type bar to printing position by manually applied force. Such an arrangement is shown, for example, in the patent to Hart No. 2,202,451 granted May 28, 1940.

rocked by the spring I.

It will be understood that the key F, type bar B, and associated parts shown in Figure 1 are representative of each of the plurality of type bar actions and associated key mechanism embodied in a typewriter, although only one com-.

plete type bar action is illustrated in this figure ofthe drawing. Generally stated the type bar operating mechanism to be described for operating the single type bar shown is identical with other mechanism units associated respectively with the other type bars (not shown), and it will be understood that the description of one complete type bar action or mechanism is to serve as a description of the other actions (not shown).

In accordance with the present invention the depressing of a key lever F is not made effective for applying manually exerted force for moving the type bar B on its printing stroke, but is utilized for releasing the restraint on a spring I connected between'the intermediate lever H and a fixed part of the frame so as to enable the spring to contract and rock the lever H counterclockwise, thereby swinging the type bar B to printing position.

Depending from a curved slot 2 in the lever H is a link 3 pivoted at its lower end to a lever 4 in turn pivoted as at 5 on the frame G. The lever 4 is equipped with an anti-friction roller 6 which normally is held against upward movement by the restraining face I of a bar lock keeper 8 pivoted as at 3. The roller 6 also is restrained against upward movement by the crest of one of the eight lobes It on a cam ll secured to a shaft l2 journaled on the typewriter frame G by suitable bearings (not shown). A detent roller I3 mounted on a lever I 4 pivoted as at l5 on a frame bracket 5 is urged by a spring I I into contact with a detent wheel l3 fast with the cam shaft l2 for yieldably maintaining the cam with the crest of a lobe l8 directly above the roller 6.

Thus, both the bar lock keeper 8 and the cam I I normally prevent rising of the roller 6 and therefore normally restrain the lever 12 from being In order to remove the restraint and permit the spring I to contract and drive the type bar to printing position, it is necessary .to displace the restraining face I of the keeper 8 from above the roller 6 and also to rotate the cam I I so as to allow the roller to move into the depression between two cam lobes ID.

The bar lock keepe 8 is adapted to be rocked upon depression of the associated key for displacing the restraining face 1 from above the roller 6. For this purpose an arm l8 on the keeper 8 is connected by a link I! to the key oper-- ated lever K. Thus, upon depression of the key F, the link J will rock the lever K clockwise to pull on the link 19 clockwise, thereby from the roller 6.

Thereafter, to enable the spring I to actuate the lever H, link I, and type bar B, the cam II is rotated one-eighth of a revolution. When the depression between the lobe l0 last positioned above moving the keeper face 1 away theroller 6 and the next adjacent lobe is presented above the roller the lever clockwise. Hence the power means, i. e. the spring I, contracts and rocks the intermediate lever H counterclockwise, thereby pulling the link I forwardly to swing the type bar B from inactive position to' printing position.

4 is'permitted to rock to each depression of a key F isefiected by tuming a ratchet wheel 28 secured to the cam shaft l2. The ratchet wheel 20 isoperable by a pawl 2| pivoted as at 22 on a rock 'arm 23 pivoted on the shaft l2. The arm23 is connected by a link 24 to a crank arm 25 secured to the armature pivot shaft 26' of an oscillating electric motor 21. Normally the motor armature 28, shaft 26, crank arm 25, and connected parts are yieldably held in the positions shown in full lines in Figure 1 by a spring 23 interposed between a fixed ear 30 and a lever 3| pivoted a at 32 on the frame G and connected by a link 33 to an arm 34 secured to the armature shaft 26. Movement of the armature shaft 26 and connected parts under the urge of the spring 29 is limited by engagement of a curved stop part 35 of the link 33 with the hub 36 of the crank arm 25. 7

When the motor 21 is energized the armature 28 and shaft 26 are rocked clockwise as viewed in Figure 1, thereby pulling on the link 24 and moving the parts to the positions shown in Figure 3 and thus causing the pawl 2| to drive the ratchet wheel 20 and the cam shaft l2 through one-eighth of a revolution. The driving of the armature 28 and movement of the parts is stopped upon opening of the motor circuit in a manner to be described, and overthrow of the and rock the keeper 8 counter- Step movement of the pilot device or cam ll through one-eighth of a revolution in response plate 49 which extends iting chain 38 interposed between an arm 33 on the shaft 26 and an anchor device 48 pivoted as at 4! on the frame G and held in adjusted position by a screw 42. Adjustment of the screw 42 will variably fix the position of the cam II when it comes to rest at the end of each operating cycle and it thus is possible easily to set or adjust the parts so that when they are in their normal positions the crest of a cam lobe ill will be in correct registration with the roller 6.

As shown diagrammatically in Figure 2, the motor 21 is adapted to be connected to a source of electric power by conductors 43 and 44. In-

terposed in the conductor 43 is a resistor 45 and a switch 46 which is operable by mechanism shown in Figure 1 in response to depression of a key F for energizing the motor and removing the restraint on the spring I in the manner already described. As shown in Figure 1, the switch 46 has a button 41 depressible by a spring finger 48 for closingthe motor circuit. Rockably mounted on the frame pivot 5 is a universal parallel to and behind the whole complement of cams H and bar lock keepers 8. The universal plate is urged counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 1 by a spring 50 connected between a post 5| on the plate and a screw 52 on the casing of the switch 46. In this way the universal frame is held yieldably in contact with heels 53 respectively on the keepers 8. When, as a result of depressing a key F, the associated keeper 8 is swung counterclockwise from the position shown in Figure 1, the heel 53 on that keeper will rock the universal frame 49 so as to bring an adjusting screw 54 on the universal frame to bear upon the finger 48' which then depresses the switch button 41 and closes the motor circuit.

The latter part of the actuating movement of the motor armature is utilized for operating a circuit breaker to open the switch 46. An arm 55 secured to the armature connected to it as at 56 a floating pusher bar 51 supported to slide on a guide 58 fast with the motor frame. When the armature 31 approaches the end of its operating movement the free end shaft 26 has pivotally tacting cam lobe l of the pusher bar 51 is projected against the universal frame 49 and the latter is kicked away from the spring finger 48, thereb deenergizing the motor. The spring 50 will complete the returning of the universal frame to its normal position after the key lever F has been released and raised by the spring I.

The force of the type bar impact may be varied by setting or adjusting the resistor 46 so as to regulate the speed of the operating throw of the armature 31. As has been pointed out above, spring I can contract to move the type bar B to the printing position only after the keeper restraining face I has been withdrawn from above the roller 6 and the cam Il /has subsequently been moved to present a cam depression for the roller 6 to move into. Thus, as the cam H moves, the roller goes down' the retreating slope of the conthereby piloting the type bar B to printing position. If the cam movement is slow the roller 6 will be retarded more than if the cam movement is rapid. Therefore, increasing resistance in the resistor 45 will slow up the driving of the cam ll, consequently lessening the force of the type bar impact, and conversely decreasing the electrical resistance will provide for more rapid cam movement with consequent increase in the force of-'the type bar impact.

Preferably the motor armature 28 is of laminated construction so as to minimize the retarding eflect of eddy currents and to make the motor operable on either direct or alternating current.

To recapitulate the operation of the mechanism disclosed; it will be assumed that the parts are in their normal positions as shown in full lines in Figure 1. The spring I is restrained from operating the type bar B by engagement of the roller 6 with the restraining face 1 of the keeper 8 and with the crest of the lowermost lobe on the cam II. When the key F is depressed, the link J, lever K, and link l9 are operated to rock counterclockwise the keeper 8 associated with that particular key F and type bar B, thereby displacing the actuated keeper face 'I from above the associated roller 6. The keepers associated with the other type bar actions will remain in restraining position so that depression of the key F conditions only one type bar action for operation. Rocking of .the keeper 8 then swings the universal frame 49 to close the switch 45 and cause the armature 28 to rock and actuate the ratchet drive 2|-20 to rotate the cam shaft I2 one-eighth of a revolution. The roller 6 can then move down the slope of the retreating cam lobe,

thus enabling the spring I to move the type bar B to printing position. The type bar Will reach this position when the cam shaft l2 has turned through one-sixteenth of a revolution at which time the roller will be free in the recess between two cam lobe ID with a slight clearance between the roller and the root of the depression. Movement of the type bar B to its printing position is accompanied by operation of the escapement mechanism N through the link L and universal bar M. y

During the next one-sixteenth revolution of the cam shaft I! the next cam lobe Ill will force the roller 6 downwardly to restore the type action to normal position and -re-load the spring 1. The motor circuit is broken by operation of the pusher bar '51 in the manner previously described, and the key F, upon being released by the operator, is returned to normal position by thespring j, which will also move the keeper 8 to restraining position over the roller 6.

The mechanism disclosed embodies the inveninactive position; an electric motor including a pivoted oscillatory armature; and means operatively connecting said armature .to said piloting and resetting means.

2. In atypewriter or like machine, a movable type member; power means urging said member to typing position; means normally restraining said power means; key responsive means for releasing said restrainingmeans to enable said power means to move said member to printing position; means movablestep-by-step for piloting said member to active positionand resetting said member in inactive position an electric motor including a pivoted oscillatory armature; means for controlling said motor to effect one oscillation of said armature in response to each actuation of said key-responsive means; and connections between said armature and said piloting and resetting means for effecting a step movement of said resetting means in response to each armature oscillation.

3. In a typewriter or like machine, a movable type member; power means urging said member .to typing position; means normally restraining said power means; key responsive means for releasing said restraining means to enable said power means to move said member to printing position; means rotatable step-by-step for resetting said member in inactive position; an oscillatory electric motor; means for controlling said motor to effect one oscillation thereof in response to each actuation of said key-responsive means; and connections including a. pawl and ratchet between said motor and said resetting means for effecting a step movement of said resetting means in response to each motor oscillation.

'4. In a typewriter or like machine, a movable type member; power means urging said member to typing position; means for normally restraining said power means to maintain said member in inactive position and for resetting said member from typing position to inactive position, said restraining and resetting means including a cam follower connected to said member, and a rotatable multilobed cam cooperable with said i01- lower; an oscillatory electric motor; connections including a pawl and ratchet between said motor and said cam for moving the cam through the space between two lobes in response to each oscillation of said motor; and key responsive means for operating said restraining and resetting means to effect removal of said restraint and operation of said type member by said power means :and for effecting an oscillation of said motor and movement of said cam to reset said type member in inactive position.

5. In a typewriter or like machine, amovable type member; power means urging said member to typing position; means for normally restraining said power means to maintain said member in inactive position andfor resetting said member from typing position to inactive position, said I restraining and resetting means including a cam follower connected to said member, and a rotatable multilobed cam cooperable with said follower; an oscillatory electric motor; connections including a pawl and ratchet between said motor and said cam for moving the cam through the space between two lobes in response to each oscillation of said motor; key responsive means for operating said restraining and resetting means to effect removal of said restraint and to energize said motor; and a circuit breaker responsive to a partial oscillation of the motor for deenergizing said motor.

6. In a typewriter'or like machine, a movable type member; power means urging said member to typing position; releasable means for normally restraining said power means to permit said type member to remain in inactive position and for controlling the speed of travel of said member to typing position, said releasable means including a pilot device adapted to retard said member during at least a part of its typing stroke; an oscillatory electric motor; means operatively connecting said motor to said pilot device; and

key responsive means for operating said releasable means'to release the restraint on said power means and for operating said electric motor to drive said pilot device.

7. In a typewriter or like machine, a movable type member; power means urging said member to typing position; releasable means for normally restraining said power means to permit said type member to remain in inactive position and for controlling the speed of travel of said member to typing position, said releasable means including a pilot device adapted to retard said member during at least a port its typing stroke; an oscillatory electric motor; means operatively con- .necting said motor to said pilot device; key

responsive means for operating said releasable means to release the restraint on said power means and. for operating said electric motor to drive said pilot device; and means for varying the speed of oscillation of said motor to thereby vary the speed of said pilot device and the speed of the type member during its typing stroke.

. 8'. In a typewriter or like machine, a movable type member; power means urging said member to typing position; releasable means for normally restraining said power means to permit said type member to remain in inactive position and for controlling the speed of travel of said member to typing position, said releasable means includ-' ing a rotatable lobed cam, a cam follower, means connecting said follower to said type member, and means normally positioning said cam substantially with the crest of a lobe inengagement with said follower; an oscillatory electric motor; means operatively connectin said motor to said cam; and key controlled means for effecting oscillation of said motor to rotate said cam and thereby to enable said follower and said type -member to be moved by said power means with the follower in contact with the retreating cam lobe whereby the cam pilots the type member to typing position.

9. In a typewriter or like machine, a movable type member; power means urging said member to typing position; releasable means for normally ing a rotatable lobed cam, a cam follower, means connecting said follower to said type member, and means normally positioning said cam sub-, stantially with the crest of a lobe in engagement with said follower; an oscillatory electric motor; means operatively connecting saidmotor to said cam; key controlled means for effecting oscillation of said motor to rotate said cam and thereby to enable said follower and said type member to be moved by said power means with the follower in contact with the retreating cam lobe whereby the'cam pilots the type member to typing position; and means for varying the speed of oscilla- 1 tion of said motor.

10. In a typewriter or like machine, a movable type member; power means urgingsaid member to typing position; releasable means for normally restraining said power means to permit said type member to remain in inactive position and for controlling the speed of travel of said member to typing position, said releasable means including a rotatable lobed cam, a cam follower, means connecting said follower to said type member, and means normally positioning saidcam substantially with the crest of a lobe in engagement with said follower; an oscillatory electric motor; means operatively connecting said motor to said cam; key controlled means for effectin oscillation of said motor to rotate said cam and thereby to enable said follower and said type member to be moved by said power means with the follower in contact with the retreating cam lobe whereby the cam pilots the type member to typing position; and means for so limiting the oscillation of said motor that a single complete operation thereof will drive said cam through the distance between two cam lobes.

11. In a typewriting or like machine, a movable type member; power means urging said member to typing position; means for normally restraining said power means to permit said type member to remain in inactive position. and for tion thereof.

l2. In a typewriter or like machine, a movable type member; power means urging said member to typing position; a keeper normally restraining said power means; a member for piloting said type member to typing position and for resetting said type member in inactive position; an electric motor including a pivoted oscillatory armature; means operatively connecting said armature to said piloting and resetting member; and key controlled means for actuating said keeper to discontinue its restraint on said power means, and for energizing said motor to effect oscillation of said armature, operation of said piloting and resetting member, and returning of said type member from typing to inactive position.

13. In a typewriter or like machine; a, type member; a step-by-step rotary devicefor controlling the movement of said member to typing position and back to inactive position; an electric motor having an oscillatory armature; a pawl and ratchet connection between said armature and said rotary device; a spring normally holdins said armature at one limit of its oscillation; means for energizing said motor to move said armature against the urge of said spring; means for limiting each movement of said armature; and means for deenergizing said motor to permit a said armature to be returned by said spring.

14. In a typewriter or like machine, a type member; a step-by-step rotary device for controlling the movement of said member to typing position and back to inactive position; an electric motor having an oscillatory armature; a

said motor to permit said motor to be returned by said spring.

15. In a typewriter or' like machine, a type member; a spring urging said type member to move from inactive position to typing position; a rotatable multilobed cam; a follower engaging said cam; means connecting said follower to said type member; means for driving the cam stepby-step and for determining its position between steps comprising an oscillatory electric motor and connections including a pawl and ratchet between said motor and said cam; and means for controlling the operation of the motor comprisinga key, a switch'in circuit with said motor, means responsive to operation of said key for closing said switch, and means responsive to predetermined operating movement of said motor for opening said switch.

16. In a typewriter or like machine, a plurality ,of movable type members; individual springs'respectively urging said type members to move from inactive position to typing position; a rotatable multilobed resetting cam; a plurality of aligned followers engageable with said cam; means respectively connecting said followers to said type members; a plurality of aligned keepers releasably engageable with said followers respectively for normally maintaining the associated type members restrained against movement by said springs; an oscillatory electric motor; pawl and ratchet drive connections between said motor and said cam; a switch in circuit with said motor; a universal member extending adjacent said keepers and being movable for cooperation with said switch; and a plurality of key members connected respectively to said keepers and being individually operable for moving a selected keeper out of restraining engagement with the associated follower and formoving said universal member to close said switch.

17. In a typewriter or like machine, a plurality of movable type members; individual springs re-- spectively urging said type members to move from inactive position to typing position; a rotatable multilobed resetting cam; a plurality of aligned followers engageable with said cam; means respectively connecting said followers to said type members; a plurality of aligned keepers releasably engageable with said followers respectively for normally maintaining the associated type members restrained against movement by said springs; an oscillatory electric motor; pawl and ratchet drive connections between said motor and said cam; a switch in circuit with said motor; a universal member extending adjacent said keepers and being movable for cooperation with said switch; a plurality of key members connected respectively to said keepers andbeing individually operable for moving a selected keeper out of restraining engagement with the associated follower and for moving said universal member to close said switch; and a pusher bar operable by said motor and being engageable with said universal member for moving the latter out of its switch closing position.

JOHN JOSEPH KI'I'I'EL. 

